How to Limit WhatsApp Data Usage And Save Your Mobile Data

Mobile data is something that everyone is always trying to save. Some users have unlimited plans, but not everyone is lucky enough to have one. Mobile data does have restrictions and saving it can be a difficult task, especially when you’re using WhatsApp.

It’s an app you probably need to use every day but are afraid to launch because of the amount of mobile data it uses. Instead of having your blood pressure through the roof worrying about how much data the app is using, try the following mobile data saving tips.

Disable WhatsApp Chat Backup with Cellular Data

If you’re using WhatsApp on an iPhone, then back up your chat to iCloud. If you don’t make the necessary changes, you’re going to get the most expensive phone bill ever. To turn off cellular data for iCloud you need to go to “Settings -> iCloud -> iCloud Drive -> Use Cellular Data -> Toggle Off.”

What you can do instead is choose when you want to back up your chats such as when you’re at home connected to your WiFi. You can do this by going to “Settings -> Chat Settings -> Chat Backup -> Backup Now” in the app.

If you’re on Android, then your chat history is being backed up to Google Drive. To save on mobile data, try backing up your chat history only when you’re on WiFi. You can do that by opening “WhatsApp -> Settings -> Chats -> Chat Backup -> Backup over -> WiFi.”

Stop WhatsApp from Auto-Saving Media

If you don’t care about saving the media you usually get on WhatsApp, or you want to decide later what you want to keep, there’s an option for that, too. If you’re on an iPhone, go to “WhatsApp -> Settings -> Chat and Calls -> Save Incoming Media -> Toggle off.”

To do the same on your Android device, open “WhatsApp -> Settings -> Data Usage -> When using mobile data.” Now choose what you want WhatsApp to download and what it shouldn’t. You just have to uncheck what you want and what you don’t, and WhatsApp will stop saving it.

Make WhatsApp Use Less Data During Calls

In the WhatsApp Settings there is also an option to save cellular data during calls. There isn’t a drastic change in the quality of the call, but don’t be surprised if it’s a little less than usual. Give it a try and see if it’s something you’re willing to consider.

You can enable this option by going to WhatsApp settings and then Data Usage. The lower data usage option is all the way at the bottom. Check it “On,” and the next time you’re on a call, WhatsApp won’t use so much data. On iPhone the steps are the same except that you’ll see Data and Storage Usage, and Low Data Usage will need to be toggled “On.”

Conclusion

WhatsApp is the most popular instant messaging app out there. Since that’s the case, you’re probably not going to have much of a choice but to use it. But with these useful tips you’ll know what to do to save as much cellular data as possible. What are some of your mobile data saving tips? Drop a comment below and let us know.

One comment

WhatsApp has recently changed and the permissions and privacy problems continue! When the app auto updates many people have had problems getting WhatsApp to work again or it has not re-installed properly. There are other messaging services. How about an article on some of the others for comparison. IMO. WhatsApp since being taken over by Facebook has changed for the worse and maybe it is time for a switch to one of the less intrusive services?